Friday, June 6, 2014

A Secret Garden Birthday on Easter Sunday

I am so pleased that my girls love reading The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett as much as I did as a child. It has always been one of my favorite books ever since my parents gave me a copy illustrated by Graham Rust for Christmas in 1988, when I was 10 years old. I still have my treasured and well loved copy today.

Chiquita's 9th birthday fell on Easter Sunday this year and her Secret Garden themed party tied in perfectly. It was such a special day!

Birthday Hugs and Visiting with Grandpa & Grandma on the phone

.: In the Garden :.

But she was inside the wonderful garden, and she could come through the door under the ivy any time, and she felt as if she had found a world all of her own.

The older boys helped me create a door out of brown paper. We added some watercolor wood grains and then created a Key Hole and Keys using black and purple card stock with my Cricut with the Sophisticated Cartridge.

I picked up a strand of Ivy with purple flowers and butterflies at the craft store, as well as a few flower plants to use as decorations as well. It was simple but pretty!

.: The Robin Who Showed the Way :.

"You showed me where the key was yesterday," she said. "You ought to show me the door today; but I don't believe you know!" The robin flew from his swinging spray of ivy on to the top of the wall and he opened his beak and sang a loud, lovely trill, merely to show off - and they are nearly always doing it.

"It's part o' th' springtime, this nest-buildin' is," he said. " I warrant it's been goin' on in th' same way every year since th' world was begun. They've got their way o' thinking an' coin things, an' a body had better not meddle. You can lose a friend in springtime easier than any other season if you're too curious."

"Might I," quavered Mary, "might I have a bit of earth?" In her eagerness she did not realize how queer the words would sound and that they were not the ones she had meant to sat. Mr Craven looked quite startled. "Earth!" he repeated. "What do you mean?" "To plant seeds in - to make things grow - to see them come alive," Mary faltered.

"What kind of bird is he?" Mary asked. "Doesn't tha' know? He's a robin redbreast, an' they're th' friendliest, curiousest birds alive. They're almost as friendly as dogs - if you know how to get on with 'em. Watch him peck in' about there an' looking' round at us now an again. He knows we're talking' about him."

Our Annual Easter Egg Hunt was another fun birthday activity this year! The birthday girl was totally confused when Uncle Brian gave her a hint: "where was the garden key found?" She started looking for signs of where eggs might be buried (the key was discovered buried in dirt in the actual book) while her older brother discovered the stash of eggs behind a dislodged brick (the key was found behind a brick in the version of the movie my siblings and I watched recently when we were kids). The birthday girl was so excited to find the Golden Egg this year!

She also received a card and spending money from her out-of-state grandparents and The Beaver Family from my parents (we are all Beaver Fans after all!) , and even an Easter Egg filled with candy and more spending money from Uncle Brian & Aunt Meagan!

She also received sweet and thoughtful little gifts from her siblings…

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A Little About Me

Hi! I'm Jessica, a Roman Catholic wife and home educating mother to our eight children. I was home educated myself, along with my eleven younger siblings. I have a special devotion to St. Therese, through whom I have been given much help and many blessings--the beautiful "Shower of Roses" that she has sent my way! Here I will record a few of the blessings I treasure. Please remember that what you see here is just a little glimpse at our lives, so please say a prayer for us, as we continue to strive for holiness.

Prayer of Mothers

Father in heaven, grant me the grace to appreciate the dignity which you have conferred on me. Let me realize that not even the Angels have been blessed with such a privilege—to share in your creative miracle and bring new Saints to heaven. Make me a good mother to all my children after the example of Mary, the Mother of your Son. Through the intercession of Jesus and Mary I ask your continued blessings on my family. Let us all be dedicated to your service on earth and attain the eternal happiness of your kingdom in heaven. Amen.